Estrie: obsolete medical imaging devices will be replaced by 2025

The outdated CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS medical imaging devices will be replaced by 2025, the establishment confirmed following radiologists in the region openly complained.

“We replaced one this year, another will be next year and the third replacement will take place in 2025,” said the director of information resources and technologies at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Philippe Préville, who adds that the devices currently in use are reliable and meet the highest quality standards.

Dr. Yves Patenaude, pediatric radiologist, said on Tuesday that three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines in the region are 17, 18 and 20 years old respectively. Yet, life cycle guidelines for medical imaging equipment in Canada state that the useful life of an MRI machine is 8 to 12 years depending on use, and that a machine ” should not exceed 15 years, regardless of the technology.”

Ariane computer system

Regarding the computerized clinical record (DCI) Ariane, used by the CIUSSS de l’Estrie and described as outdated and dysfunctional by the former Minister of Health Gaétan Barrette, Mr. Préville is categorical: “We have a good system, we takes care of it, it is reliable, it is safe, it is up-to-date and it meets the needs of the people of Estrie.”

The Ariane system was created 30 years ago and is used so that healthcare professionals can access patients’ medical information. It is maintained by the firm QuadraMed, a division of Harris Healtcare, owned by the Canadian company Constellation software.

In 2020, the Board of Directors of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS authorized the renewal of the service contract with QuadraMed for a maximum amount of $35.7 million for a period of up to eight and a half years.

In June 2022, a $700,000 contract was awarded by mutual agreement by the CIUSSS to QuadraMed for work in the programming of the Ariane ICD for the improvement of the single patient record.

However, doctors have recently complained regarding the computer system. “Computer systems, there are people who like them and people who don’t like them,” replied Philippe Préville. I know that a very large part of the clientele is very satisfied with the system they have and which allows them to respond effectively to the needs of the population.”